UK removes over 100 occupations from skilled worker visa list

The United Kingdom Home Office has officially removed over 100 mid-skilled occupations from its Skilled Worker visa eligibility list, signaling a major overhaul of the country’s immigration system. This reform, described as a “complete reset” by new Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, could significantly affect Nigerian migrants currently in the UK and those planning to relocate.

Cooper explained the move as part of efforts to “restore proper control and order” to a system she said had been overwhelmed under the previous government.

> “We are delivering a complete reset of our immigration system to restore proper control and order, after the previous government allowed net migration to quadruple in four years,” she said. “These new rules mean stronger controls to bring migration down… and to ensure we focus on investing in skills and training here in the UK.”

Key Changes in the New Immigration Policy

The reform includes several major changes:

Removal of Over 100 Roles: The excluded occupations were mostly at RQF levels 3–5, including jobs in hospitality, construction, care, and various trades — sectors where many Nigerians and other migrants had found employment.

Higher Skill Threshold: The minimum skill requirement has been raised to RQF Level 6 and above.

Closure of Social Care Route: The social care worker visa is now closed to new overseas applicants due to concerns about abuse and exploitation.

New Temporary Shortage List (TSL): This list allows short-term access for critical roles only — many of which now ban dependants and have strict expiration dates.

Revised Immigration Salary List (ISL): Salary thresholds have been revised upward, aligning with new skill requirements.

Full MAC Review: A review by the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) is underway to evaluate which roles may remain or return under the TSL or ISL.

Impact on Nigerian Migrants

These policy changes mean that many Nigerians in the UK under Skilled Worker visas may lose eligibility for renewal unless they switch to new qualifying roles. Others looking to change employers or job titles must ensure their new positions meet the updated criteria.